That veteran is Don Haupts, of Manson.

His son, Bob Haupts, introduced his father during the Veterans Day program for students, staff and community members Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster Junior/Senior High School.

Out of the class of 1944, Bob Haupts said 18 joined the armed forces — one enlisted in the Army, while the other 17 (including his father) enlisted in the Navy.

Brian Haupts, also a son of Don Haupts, shared the highlights of a recent interview with his father.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Wendell Pugh, of Manson American Legion Post 204, carries in the American flag for the posting of the colors during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School in Manson.

In 1944, Don Haupts was among a group of four high school farm boys who decided to enlist in the Navy together. After completing boot camp in Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, Haupts served as a medic in hospitals in Oregon and Idaho during World War II.

“The hospitals were full of casualties, so there was very little time off,” Brian Haupts said.

Though Don Haupts was never shot at, his son recounted one of the more intense moments of his father’s Navy career.

One time, a C-54 plane loaded with wounded men from Okinawa was trying to land, but the landing gear wouldn’t come down. The plane circled and circled the airport until it was nearly out of gas. Forced to land, the pilot kept the plane’s nose up and managed to land with all aboard — including Don Haupts — safe and intact.

“They were smoking cigarettes one after the other in a very intense moment,” Brian Haupts said.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
LEFT: John Jacobs and Henry Kenne, both of Manson, enjoyed refreshments ahead of the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster High School. Both Jacobs and Kenne are veterans of the U.S. Army.  Jacobs served from 1967 to 1968 and Kenne from 1966 to 1968. John Jacobs and Henry Kenne, both of Manson, enjoyed refreshments ahead of the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster High School. Both Jacobs and Kenne are veterans of the U.S. Army.  Jacobs served from 1967 to 1968 and Kenne from 1966 to 1968.

His father also commented on the food, saying, “The food wasn’t anything like home, but you ate it because you were hungry.”

While in the service, his father remembered finally getting to eat his first salad in months — but only after he first removed and killed the cockroach hiding in his greens.

At the end of the war, Don Haupts received his discharge papers, but before he could leave, the Navy changed its mind and asked him to serve another three months.

When he was finally discharged, Haupts was given $235 to pay for his transportation home.

But Haupts had a better idea. Instead, he pocketed the cash, hitch-hiked his way back to Iowa, and, upon returning, used the money to buy himself a car.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Right: Colby Bacon, vice president of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), reads the poem, “What is a Veteran,” during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School in Manson.

Out of the 18 members of his class who joined the service, all returned home safely.

“It makes me sad there are only three of us left,” Don Haupts told his son.

Brian Haupts said his father never wanted to be made out as a war hero, but told the audience gathered Tuesday that his father’s service alone made him a legend for the next generation.

All Manson area veterans were honored at Tuesday’s program, with each asked to state their name and when and where they served.

The MNW High School choir sang the national anthem, while the band played “Salute to America’s Finest,” featuring the official songs of each branch of the armed services, with veterans standing as their branch’s song was played.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Choir director Kelbi White leads the Manson Northwest Webster High School choir in the singing of the national anthem during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at the high school in Manson.

MNW Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members organized Tuesday’s program.

Colby Bacon, FCCLA vice president, read the poem, “What is a Veteran,” saying a veteran is someone who “went away one person and came back another.”

Bacon continued, “He sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.”

Bianca Aquino, an MNW senior, recounted her interview with Manson Army veteran John Jacobs. She said, according to Jacobs, a veteran is someone who leads by example.

In Jacobs’ words, Aquino said, “We don’t know how much a thank you means to veterans.”

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Fairon Jensen plays Taps at the conclusion of the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School in Manson.

She concluded by encouraging everyone to say thank you to a veteran.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Brian Haupts speaks about his father Don Haupts’ time in the U.S. Navy during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at Manson Northwest Webster Jr./Sr. High School in Manson. His brother, Bob Haupts, also spoke. Brian Haupts speaks about his father Don Haupts' time in the U.S. Navy during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at MNW Jr./Sr. High School in Manson.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Bob Haupts, son of Manson veteran Don Haupts, talks about the legacy of World War II veterans like his father during the Veterans Day program Tuesday at MNW Jr./Sr. High School in Manson.